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LIBRARY 

OF  THE 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIFT  OF 

GEORGE  MOREY  RICHARDSON. 

Received,  ^August,  1898. 
^Accession  No.  /36  ^J~O       Class  No. 


JQlB^KJl 


\ 


AN    ESSAY 

O  N    T  H  E 
USE    AND   ADVANTAGES 

OF    THE 

FINE   ARTS. 

DELIVERED    AT    THE 

PUBLIC    COMMENCEMENT, 

IN    N  E  W  -  H  A  V  E  N: 

1 

SEPTEMBER.  12^.  1770* 


NEW-HAVEN: 

PRINTED  BY  T,  AND  S,  GREENV 


• 


A  N     E  S  S  A  Y,  &c. 


NO  fubjeft  can  be  more  important  in  itfelf,  or 
better  fuited  to  the  prefent  occafion,  and  the 
exerciies  of  this  day,  than  the  Ufe  and  Advantages 
of  the  fine  Arts,- and -efpecially  thofeof  Polite  Lite 
rature.  Thefe  ftudies  are  perhaps  too  much  under 
valued  by  the  public,  and  negle&ed  by  the  youth 
in  our  fem'maries  of  fcience.  They  are  cdnfidered 
as  meer  matters  of  trifling  amufement,  and  defpifed 
in  comparifon  with  the  more  folid  branches  of 
Learning. 
- 

The  knowlege  of  Languages,  Mathematics,  Me- 
taphyfics  and  Philofophy,  undoubtedly  deferves  to 
engage  the  attention  of  the  greateft  Genius.  For 
fkill  in  thefe  fciences,  the  World  (while  the  world 
remains,)  will  revere  the  memory  of  a  Bacon,  a 
Newton,  and  a  Locke.  But  when  they  are  carried 
beyond  a  certain  point;  when  they  ire  of  no  advan 
tage  to  the  common  purpofes  of  life  ;  when  the/ 
are  employed  upan  queftions  which  human  Reafon 
can  never  with  certainty  determine,  they  degene 
rate  into  meer  fpeculations  of  amufement,  and  be 
come  no  farther  valuable,  than  as  they  fe-rve  to  en- 
Jarge  the  mind,  clear  the  underftanding,  and  enter 
tain  us  in  the  hours  of  leifure  from  the  important 
avocations  of  bufincfs.  The  Geometrical  labours 

for 


(     4     )_ 

For  the  Quadrature  of  the  Circle,  the  Metaphyfica! 
controverfies  about  the  Exiftence  of  matter,  and 
the  Effcnce  of  Spirit,  though  a  field  for  the  dif- 
play  of  genius,  in  what  .are  they  more  interefting 
to  mankind,  than  the  contentions  of  Antiquaries  a- 
bout  the  genuinenels  of  a  medal,  or  the  difputes  of 
Commentators  about  the  various  readings  of  their 
antient  marmfcripts  ? 

Let  us  confidcr  the  advantages  which  arifetothe 
world  from  the  fludy  of  the  liberal  Arts. 

Mankind  in  the  prefent  fbte,  are  extremely  lia 
ble  to  be  led  away  by  mean  and  fordid  vices,  to  be 
attached  to  the  low  enjoyments,  of  fe^fe,  and  thus 
degraded  aJmpfl  to  a  level  with_the  bruta]  creation. 
As  that  unceafing  third  for  happinefs,  which  is  the 
tmiverfal  fpring  of  action,  mud  have  fome  object 
for  its  gratification  ;  the  Divine  Being,  to  raife  us 
#bove  theie  low  defires,  hath  implanted  in  our 
minds  a  tafte  for  more  pure  and  intellectual  plea- 
fures.  Thefe  pleaiures  have  their  fourcc  in  the  fine 
Arts,  and  are  more  efpecially  found  in  the  elegant 
entertainments  of  polite  Literature.  They  ennoble 
the  foul,  purify  the  pafiions,  and  give  the  thoughts 
a  better  turn.  They  add  dignity  to  our  lentirnents, 
delicacy  and  refinement  to  our  manners.  They  fee 
us  above  our  meaner  purfuits,  and  make  us  fcorn 
thofe  low  enjoyments,  which  perhaps  we  once 
clleemed  as  the  perfection  of  human  felicity.  I  ap 
peal  to  all  perfons  of  judgment,  whether  they  can 
rife  from  reading  a  fine  Poem,  viewing  any  mafter- 
ly  work  of  Genius,  or  hearing  an  harmonious  coo;- 

cert 


(     5    ) 

cert  of  Mufic,  without  feeling  an  opennefs  of  heart, 
and  an  elevation  of  mind,  wichout  being  more  fen- 
fible  of  the  dignity  cf  human  nature,  and  def piling 
whatever  tends  to  debafe  and  degrade  it  ? 

Thcfe  are  the  delights,  which  humanize  the  foul, 
and  polifh  a*/ay  that  rugged 'ferocity  of  manners, 
which  is.  natural  to  the  uncultivated  nations  of  the 
world. 

-  In  every  land,  in  every  age,  at  the  time  when 
the  unconquered  fpirit  of  freedom,  joined  with  that 
laudable  ambition,  which  fires  the  foul  to  heroic 
deeds  ;  hath  raifed  the  nation  to .  the  higheft 
pitch  of  glory,  the  fine  Arts  have  been  ftudioufly 
cultivated,  and  have  mined  forth  with  peculiar  luf- 
tre.  For  Learning  and  Glory  walk  hand  in  hand 
through  the  world.  A  iavage  People,  before  the 
dawn  of  literature,  may  indeed  be  terrible  in  arms : 
but  being  ftained  with  the  blood  of  cruelty,  tarnim- 
ed  with  that  wild  barbarity,  which  degrades  cou 
rage  into  brutality,  they  never. attain  to  the  fummit 
of  renown  ;  and  either  fink  unnoticed  into  oblivi 
on,  or  leave  to  pofterity  a  name  more  infamous  for 
barbarifm,  than  famed  for  heroic  achievements. 
While  every  voice  celebrates  the  bravery  of  an 
Alexander,  a  Scipio,  a  Cas/ar,  and  a  Marlbo- 
rough  •,  who  remembers  the  favage  fiercenefs  of 
the  lion-hearted  Richard  ;  or  what  mouth  is  opened 
in  the  praife  of  that  fcourge  of  Afia,  the  Perfian 
Nadir  ? 

,The  fame  ardour  of  ambitioa,  the  fame  greatnefs 

of 


of  thought,  which  infpires  the. Warrior 
ger  in  the  conquering;  field,  when  diffufed  among  a 
people  will  call  forth  Genius  in  every  ffotion  of 
life,  fire  the  imagination  of  the  Artift,  and  raife  to 
fublimity  the  afpiriag  Mufe, 

Look  into  the  annals  of  antiquity.  View  the  pre- 
cians  at  the  seia  of  learning  and  politenefs,  when  the 
fine  Arts  were  carried  to  their  higheft  glory,  .when 
the  whole  nation  were  encouragers  of  fcience,  and 
every  perfon  a  judge  of  literature';,  when  by  great- 
nefs  of  genius,  corre&nefs  of  tafte^and  .refinement 
of  .manners,  they  rendered  themfelves  famous 
throughout  the  would,  and  patterns  of  imitation  to 
all  pofterlty.  Then  was  the  time  that  Greece  pro 
duced  thofe  Heroes  that  aftonifhed  Europe  and  Afia 
with  the  found  of  their  victories  ;  then  uas  the  time 
that  Athens,  Sparta  and  Thebes  gave  laws  to  the 
world.  And  could  a  Nation  fail  of  rifingtothe  high- 
eft  pitch  of  fame,  when  animated  with  the  thunder 
ing  eloquence  of  Demofthencs  and  Pericles,  fired 
to  warlike  .deeds  by, the  martial  mufe  of  Homer, 
and  warmed  with  thofe  noble  fentiments  which  in- 
fpire  the  prcductions  of  ^fchylus,  Euripides  and 
Sophocles  ? 

The  glory  of  Arts  and  Arms  funk  in  Greece  and 
rofe  again  with  renewed  luitre  in  Hefperia.  Rome 
diftinguiflied  herfelf  for  literature,  even  from  the 
firft  dawn.of  hcrgreatnefs.  In  hen  early  days,  while 
her  unpolifhed  manners  bore  too  near  a  refemblance 
to  the  rough  virtues  of  Sparta,  fhe  could  boaft  an 
Ennuis,  theioJdnefs  of  whofe  thoughts  even  Virgil 

himielf 


(    7    ) 

himfelf  did  not  difdain  to  imitate.  Then  flourished 
Aceius,  N#vius,  Pacuvius,  thofe  famed  dramatic 
poets,  with  the  bold  and  fpiritcd  Lucilius,  the  fa 
ther  of  the  Roman  fatire.  But  thefe  writers  have 
funk  into  the  dark  gra*'e  of  oblivion,  and  left  be- 
'hind  only  fome  (mall  traces  of  their  fame.  Then 
appeared  the  rough  genius  of  Plautus,  the  milder 
elegance  of  Tererree,  and  the  foft  mufe  of  Catullus-: 
Then  the  polifhed  Lucretius,  fo  diftinguifhed  for 
,all  the  graces  of  poetic  expreffion,  that  Virgil  evi 
dently  borrowed  from  his  writings,  his  ftylc,  veri 
fication  and  manner  of  defcription.  In  the  mean 
time  Eloquence  rofe  to  the  higheft  perfection  ac 
Rome.  Be  Cicero  a  witnefs,  whofe  praife  is  unne- 
teftary,  whether  as  an  orator,  a  patriot,  or  a  phi- 
lofopher. 

But  fee  Rome  attains  to  the  fummit  of  greatnefs. 
The  world  fubmits  to  her  fway.  Satiated  with  the 
fpoils  of  victory,  fhe  fits  nnmoleftedon  the  throne, 
and  diffufes  the  mild  bleflings  of  peace.  Then  fiou- 
rifh  the  names  deareft  to  fame,  the  glories  of  the 
Auguftan  age  :  The  majeftic  Mule  of  Virgil,  the 
fecond  who  dared  to  attempt  the  dignity  of  epic 
fong  ;  the  polifhedTelegance  of  Horace,  graced  with 
the  founding  lyre,  and  armed  with  the  keen  fword 
of  fatire  ;  the  ftrong  and  fportive  imagination  of 
Ovid  ;  the  foft  elegiac  drains  of  Tibullus  and 
Propertius  ;  and  the  hiftoric  grandeur  of  Livy.- 
The  world  is  confcious  of  their  fame.  Their  cha 
racters  need  not  to  be  illuftrated  by  the  tedious  im 
pertinence  of  praife, 

The 


(    8    ) 

The  Glory  of  Rome  faded  by  a  gradual  decays 
The  Mufe  ftill  fhone,  though  with  tarnifhed  Juflre* 
in  die  tragedies  ofSeneca,  the  fatires  of  Juvenal  and 
Perfius,  and  the  heroic  poems  of  Lucan,  Statius, 
Claudian,  and  Silius  Italicus.  Hiftory  produced  the 
nervous,  the  manly  Tacitus  ;  and  Philofophy  could 
ftill  fhow  her  Seneca  and  Pliny.  Till  at  length  Ty 
ranny  ufbrped  the  dominion,  and  Barbarifm  over- 
fpread  the  land  of  Italy. 

For  a  nearer  inftance  of  the  trophies  of  the  liberal 
Arts,  let  us  view  the  ftate  of  Rufiia  in  the  laft  cen 
tury.  In  a  cold  unpoliftied  land,  deep-lunk  in  the 
fhades  of  favage  ignorance,  a  Monarch  riles,  who 
moved  with,  companion  for  his  fubjects,  fired  with 
love  of  glory,  arid  endowed  with  a  foul  fuperior  to 
the  age,  forms  a  project  of  civilizing  his  'country. 
He  fails  to  other  landsj  imports  the  rudiments  of 
the  arts,  and  affords  both  by  precept  and  example 
the  utmoft  encouragement  to  genius.  The  Nation 
raifes  herfelf  from  the  duft,  repels  her  enemies,  ex- 
-  tends  her  borders,  leads  forth  her  conquering  ar 
mies,  and  now  threatens  the  total  fubverfion  of  the 
Ottoman  empire. 


Britain  alone  can, claim  the  glory  of  ^an  equrllty 
with  Greece  and  Rome.  Therefor  two  centuries 
the  Arts  have  flourifhed  with  almoft  unabated  luf- 
tre:  And  the  flighted  reflection  will  inform  us  that 
this  period  is  by  far  the  mod  celebrated  in  the  Bri- 
tifh  hiftory.  .In  the  glorious  reign  of  Elizabeth, 
ihere  arofc  a  Spenfer,  unequalled  in  all  the  pleafing 
charms  of  luxuriant  defcription  ;  whofe  fancy  tranf- 

ports 


(     9     ) 

ports  us  to  fairy  land,  and  brings  us  acquainted 
with  a  fhadowy  race,  the  beings  of  his  own  creation. 
Then  a  Shakeipear,  the  matchlefs  genius  of  the 
drama;  endowed  with  the  moil  noble  extravagance 
of  imagination,  the  flrongeft  powers  of  humour, 
the  fovcreign  command  of  the  paflions,  and  the 
keeneft  infpeclion  into  all  the  mazes  of  the  human 
iaul.  To  thefe  fucceeded  the  unbridled  wic  of 
Cowley,  the  foft  graces  of  Waller,  and  the  various 
grandeur  of  all-accomplifhed  Dryden.  Then  with 
the  united  charms  of  every  Mufe,  appeared  the 
immortal  Milton  ;  who  with  the  greateft  force  of 
natural  genius,  affifted  by  all  the  aids  of  art,  and 
by  the  noble  defcriptions  of  the  inipired  writers, 
hath  produced  a  Poem,  almoft  as  much  fuperior  to 
Homer's,  in  fublimity  of  conception,  as  it  is  in  the 
greatnefs  of  its  fubjedfc  ; 

A  Genius  univerfal  as  his  theme, 

Aftonifhing  as  Chaos,  as  the  bloom 

Of  blowing  Edea  fair,  as  Heav'n  fublime. 

Tbomfon. 

After  a  fhort  eclipfe  in  the  luxurious  reign  of 
Charles  II.  the  reviving  Arts  fbone  forth  with  fu 
perior.  brightnefs  in  the  profperous  days  of  William 
and  Anne  ;  while  the  vi&erious  Marl  borough  bore 
Britain's  thunder  on  her  foes,  and  made  Europe 
tremble  at  tke  found  of  his  arms.  Then  flourifhed 
the  polifhed  mufe  of  Addifon,  who  revived  in  Eng 
land  the  claffic  elegance  of  the  Auguftan  age  ; 
whofe  works,  adorned  with  the  higheft  fublimity 
of  fentiment,  and  the  niceft  delicacy  of  thought, 

B  filled 


filled  with  eafy  humour  which  points  the  ridicule  at 
vice,  (while  they  afford  inftru&ion  and  entertainment 
of  the  noblefl  kind  to  every  reader,)  may  boaft  as 
their  greateft  honour  and  diftinguimed  excellence, 
that  they  are  peculiarly  calculated  to  pleafe  and 
improve  the  faired  part  of  the  creation. 


en  arofe  a  Swift,  the  friend  of  virtue,  the 
fcourge  of  folly,,  and  the  terror  of  vice  ;  unequalled 
for  manly  fenfe,  livelinefs  of  fancy,  the  powers  of 
\vit  and  humour,  and  the  fevereft  poignancy  of 
fatire.  Happy,  had  not  his  mind,  foured  with  dif- 
appointment  in  the  earlieft  views  of  his  ambition, 
too  often  endeavoured  by  the  grofTefl  indelicacy  of 
defcription  to  debafe  the  dignity  of  human  nature  ; 
and  indulged  a  fpirit  of  milanthropy,  which  clouds 
his  bed  productions,  and  while  we  admire  the  force 
of  his  Genius,  bids  us  deteft  the  fentiments  of  his 
heart.  What  age  mail  forget  the  undying  fame 
of  Pope  !  Whether  in  pleafing  drains  he  paints  the 
beauties  of  nature  ;  mourns  with  the  fofteft  notes 
of  elegiac  verfe  ;  or  with  moral  rapture  unfolds 
all  the  principles  and  paffions  of  the  human  foul  : 
Whether  in  fportive  lays  he  difplays  the  foibles  of 
the  gentler  Sex  ;  impales  vice  and  dulncfs  on  the 
point  of  fatire  ;  or  holding  up  the  glafs  of  tranfla- 
tion,  reflefts  with  unabated  light  the  glories  of  the 
Masonian  fong. 

For  the  power  of  defcribins;  the  beauties  of  rural 
fcenes,  and  copying  the  different  appearances  of 
nature,  what  writer  can  vie  with  the  pleafing  Thorn-* 
fon  !  The  livelinefs  of  his  paintings,  his  fublime 

morality, 


morality,  and  his  delicacy  of  thought  juftly  raife 
him  to  the  higheft  rank  of  genius. 

Nor  mud  we  forget  the  unaffected  cafe  of  Gay 
and  Prior,  the  fpirited  wit  of  Congreve,  the  delicate 
fancy  of  Parnelle,  the  dramatic  powers  of  Otway, 
Southern  and  Rowe,  the  ccrvantic  humour  of  Ar- 
buthnot,  with  the  pointed  fatire  and  ftrong  imagi 
nation  of  Young.  Thefe  writers  will  convey  the 
Englim  glory  to  the  mod  diftant  ages  of  pofterity. 

Polite  Letters  at  prefent  are  much  en  the  decline 
in  Britain  ;  not  through  a  fcarcity  of  authors,  or 
want  of  encouragement  from  the  public  ^  but  by 
reafon  of  that  luxurious  effeminacy,  which  hath 
caufed  a  decay  of  genius,  and  introduced  a  falfe 
tafte  in  writing.  Their  Men  of  learning  are  in 
fected  with  pedantry.  They  are  great  admirers  of 
antiquity  and  followers  in  the  path  of  fervile  imi 
tation.  They  facrifice  eafe  and  elegance  to  the 
affectation  of  claflk  correctnefs,  fetter  the  fancy 
with  the  rules  of  method,  and  damp  all  the  ardour 
of  afpiring  invention.  While  the  men  of  Genius 
(who  are  at  prefent  a  diftinct  elafs  of  writers)  in 
contempt  of  the  critic  chains,  throw  off  all  ap 
pearance  of  order  and  connection,  fport  in  the 
\vildeft  fallies  of  imagination,  and  adopt  the  greatest 
extravagance  of  humour,  which  too  often  finks  to 
buffoonery,  or  is  fourcd  with  the  malevolence  cf 
fatire. 

America  hath  a  fair  profpect  in  a  few  centuries 
of  ruling  both  in  arts  and  arms.  It  is  univerfall-y 

allowed 


allowed  that  we  very  much  excel  in  the  force  of 
natural  genius  :  And  although  hut  few  among  us 
are  able  to  devote  their  whole  lives  to  ftudy,  per 
haps  there  is  no  nation,  in  which  a  larger  portion  of 
learning  is  diffufed  through  all  ranks  of  people. 
For  as  we  generally  polTefs  the  middle  ftation  of 
life,  neither  funk  to  vaflfalage,  nor  raifed  to  inde- 
pendance,  we  avoid  the  fordid  ignorance  of  pealants, 
and  the  unthinking  difTipation  of  the  great.  The 
heroic  love  of  Liberty,  the  manly  fortitude,  the 
gen£rofity  of  fentiment,  for  which  we  have  been  fo 
juftly  celebrated,  feem  to  promile  the  future  ad 
vancement  and  eftablifhed  duration  of  our  glory. 
Many  incidents  unfortunate  in  themfelves,  have 
tended  to  call  forth  and  fuftain  theie  virtues.  Hap 
py,  in  this  relpedt,  have  been  our  late  ftruggles  for 
liberty  !  They  have  awakened  the  fpirit  of  freedom  ; 
they  have  rectified  the  manners  of  the  times  •,  they 
have  made  us  acquainted  with  the  rights  of  man 
kind  •,  recalled  to  our  minds  the  glorious  indcpen- 
ciance  of  former  ages,  fired  us  with  the  views  of 
fame,  and  by  filling  our  thoughts  with  contempt 
of  the  imported  articles  of  luxury,  have  raifed  an 
oppofition,  not  only  to  the  illegal  power,  but  to  the 
effeminate  manners  of  Britain.  And  I  cannot  but 
hope,  notwithstanding  ibme  dangerous  examples  of 
infamous  defection,  that  there  is  a  fpirit  remaining 
in  thefe  Colonies,  that  will  invariably  oppofe  itfelf 
to  the  efforts  of  ufurpation  and  perfidy,  and  forbid 
that  Avarice  fhould  ever  betray  us  to  Slavery. 

This  Land  hath  already  begun  to  dillinguifh  it- 
ielf  in  literature.     It  is  peculiarly   famed  for  the 

ftudy 


(     '3     ) 

ftudy  of  Theology  ;  and  though  too  much  infefted 
•with  the  fhort- lived  productions  of  controverfy,  can 
boaft  of  fomc  Divines,  who  however  inelegant  in 
flyle  and  exprefiion,  have  perhaps  never  been  ex 
celled  in  depth  of  thought  and  profoundnefs  of 
reafoning.  Our  late  writers  in  the  caufe  of  liberty 
have  gained  the  applaufe  of  Europe.  Many  eleganc 
effays  have  been  produced  in  the  ftyle  of  wit  and 
humour  ;  nor  hath  Poetry  been  entirely  uncultiva 
ted  among  us.  The  encouragement,  which  is  given 
to  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  affords  a  profpeft  of  our 
future  glory. 

AND  fee,  th'  expected  hour  is  on  the  wing, 
With  ev'ry  joy  the  flight  of  years  can  bring  : 
The  mighty  fceraes  the  Mufe  (hall  dare  difplay, 
And  unborn  ages  view  the  ripen'd  day. 

Beneath  a  folemn  grove's  delightful  (hade,  [play'd; 
When  Night's  brown  wings  were  o'er  the  world  dif- 
( While  the  fair  moon,  that  leads  the  heav'nly  train, 
With  varying  brightnefs  dy'd  the  dulky  p.lain) 
With  joy  entranc'd,  t®  folemn  thought  refign'd, 
*  Long  vifions  rifing  in  the  raptur'd  mind, 
Celeftial  mufic  danc'd  along  the  vale, 
While  thefe  bled  founds  the  ravifh'd  ear  a/Tail. 

"  To  years  far  diftant,  and  to  fcenes  more  bright, 
Along  the  vale  of  Time  extend  thy  fight,      [pole, 
Where  hours  aad  days  and  years,  froai  yon  bright 
Wave  following  wave,  in  long  fucceifion  roll  •, 
There  fee  in  pomp,  for  ages  without  end, 
The  glories  of  the  weftern  world  afcend." 

"See  !  this  bled  Land  in  her  bright  morn  appears, 
Wak'd  from  dead  {lumbers  of  fix  thouiand  years  : 

While 


While  clouds  of  darknefs  vaiPd  each  chearing  ray  5 
To  favagc  beads  and  favage  men  a  prey. 
Fair  Freedom  now  her  enfigns  bright  difplays, 
And  Peace  and  Plenty  blefs  the  golden  days. 
In  mighty  pomp  America  mall  rife  ; 
Her  glories  fpreading  to  the-  boundlefs  fkies  : 
Of  ev'ry  fair,  me  boafts  th'  aflembled  charms  ; 
The  Queen  of  empires  and  the  Nurfe  of  arms.'* 

<c  See  where  her  Heroes  mark  their  glorious  way, 
Arm'd  for  the  fight  and  blazing  on  the  day  :  [plain, 
Blood  ftains  their  fteps  \  and  o'er  the  conquering 
'Mid  fighting  thoufands  and  'mid  thoufands  (lain, 
Their  eager  fwords  promifcuous  carnage  blend, 
And  ghaftly  deaths  their  raging  courfe  attend. 
Her  mighty  pow'r  the  fubjecl:  world  mall  fee  ; 
For  laurel'd  Conqueft  waits  her  high  decree." 

"  See  her  bold  VefTels  rufhing  to  the  main, 
Catch  the  fwift  gales,  and  fweep  the  watry  plain  ; 
Or  led  by  Commerce,  at  the  merchant's  door, 
Unlade  the  treafures  of  each  diftant  fhore  ; 
Or  arm'd  twith  thunder,  on  the  guilty  foe 
Rufh  big  with  death  and  aim  th'  impending  blow, 
Bid  ev'ry  realm,  that  hears  the  trump  of  fame, 
Quake  at  the  diftant  terror  of  her  name." 

"For  pleafing  Arts, behold  her  matchlefs  charms-; 
The  firft  in  letters,  as  the  firft  in  arms. 
Sec  bolder  Genius  quit  the  narrow  fhore, 
And  unknown  realms  of  fcience  dare  t'  explore; 
Hiding  in  brightnefs  of  fuperior  day 
The  fainting  gleam  of  Britain's  fetting  ray." 

"  Sublime  the  Mufe  fhall  lift  her  eagle  wing  ; 
Of  heav'nly  themes  the  foaring  bards  fhall  fing  ; 
Tell  how  the  bleft  Redeemer,  man  to  fave, 

Through 


(     '5    ) 

Through  the  deep  manfions  of  the  gloomy  grave, 
Sought  the  low  (hades  of  night  ;  thence  rifing  high, 
Vanquifh'd  the  pow'rs  of  hell,  then  foar'd  above  the 
Or  paint  the  mighty  terrors  of  that  day,         [fky  ; 
When  Earth's  laft  fires,  fhall  mark  their  dreadful 
In  folemn  pomp,  th'  Eternal  God  defcend,     [way, 
Doom  the  wide  world  and  give  to  nature  end  j 
Or  ope  heav'ns  glories  to  th'  aftonifh'd  eye, 
And  bid  their  lays  with  lofty  Milton  vie  ; 
Or  wake  from' Nature's  themes  the  moral  fong, 
And  mine  with  Pope,  with  Thomfon,  and  with 

Young." 

"  This  Land  her  Steele  and  Addifon  fhali  view, 
The  former  glories  equaPd  by  the  new.; 
Some  future  Shakefpeare  charm  the  rifing  age, 
And  hold  in  magic  chains  the  liftning  ftage  j 
Another  Watts  fhall  flriag  the  heav'nly  lyre, 
And  other  Mufes  other  bards  infpire," 

"  Her  Daughters  too  the  happy  land  fhall  grace 
With  pow'rs  of  genius,  as  with  charms  of  face. 
Bleft  with  the  foftnefs  of  the  female  mind, 
With  fancy  blooming  and  with  tafte  refin'd, 
Some  Rowe  fhall  rife  and  wreft  with  daring  pen, 
The  pride  of  genius  from  afiuming  men  : 
While  each  bright  line  a  polifh'd  beauty  wears  ; 
For  ev'ry  mufe  and  ev'ry  grace  is  theirs. 

"  Nor  fhall  thefe  fcenes  our  rifing  farrj£  confine  ; 
With  equal  praife  the  Sifter-arts  lhall  mine." 

*'  Behold  fome  new  Apelles,  fkill'd  to  trace 
The  varied  features  of  the  lovely  face  ; 
Bid  the  gay  landfcape  rife  in  all  its  charms, 
Or  wake  from  duft  the  flumbring  chief  to  arms  ; 
Bid  Art  with  Nature  hold  a  plcafing  ftrife, 
And  warm  the  pidur'd  canvas  into  life.3'        *'  See 


"See  heav'n-born  Mufic  ftrike  the  trembling 
Devotion  rifing  on  the  raptur'd  wing."'       [ftring  ; 

44  See  the  gay  Dome  with  lofty  walls  afcend,     r 
Wide  gates  unfold,  ftupendous  arches  bend, 
The  fpiry  turrets  pointing  to  the  ikies, 
.And  all  the  grandeur  of  the  palace  rife." 

"  Then  the  bold  pow'rs  of  Eloquence  fhall  reign, 
And  bind  the  pafllons  in  their  magic  chain  ; 
At  Freedom's  voice  bid  manly  bofoms  glow, 
Or  prompt  the  tender  tear  at  guiltlefs  woe." 

*'  Thus  o'er  the  happy  Land  fhall  Genius  reign, 
And  fair  Yalenfia  lead  the  noble  train." 

Oh  !  born  to  glory  when  thefe  times  prevail, 
Great  Nurfe  of  learning,  bleft  Yalenfia,  hail  ! 
Within  thy  walls,  beneath  thy  pleafing  fhade, 
We  woo'd  fair  Science,  that  celeftial  maid. 
Fate  gives  no  more  thofe  raptures  to  purfue, 
Borne  from  thy  feats  we  bid  a  lafl  adieu. 
Long  mayft  thou  reign  of  every  joy  pofieft, 
Blert  in  thy  teachers,  in  thy  pupils  bleft, 
To  diftant  years  thy  fame  immortal  grow, 
Thy  fpreading  light  to  unborn  ages  flow  : 
Till  feature  hear  the  great  Archangel's  call, 
Till  the  laft  flames  involve  the  fmoaking  ball  j 
Then  thy  fair  Sons  to  happier  climes  aicend, 
Where  Glory  never  fades,  and  Joys  lhall  never  end* 


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